I am an 87 year old gay retired Pennsylvania Dutch farmer/artist recently moved to South Florida from the Pine Needle Retirement Home in Lancaster Pennsylvania. I write about Art, my art, art criticism, art theory, LGBT issues, ageism, philosophy, and politics.

September 11, 2006

Nine-Eleven Remembered

It’s my birthday and I'm 87!

This will be my first birthday alone, I think ever. Ruth called today to decry the fact that she can’t have my traditional birthday dinner. I commiserated with her, and metaphorically held her hand. I also promised that if I’m alive and well next year, I’ll fly home and stay at Orchard Hill Farm for my birthday with her and Samuel.

Recapitulating “My Stand” One More Time

Because it’s my birthday, and because that horrible world shaking event since tagged “9/11” took place on my 82nd birthday, I’m including the poem, “My Stand.” This is the fourth repeat, but I will not apologize because “My Stand” was sparked by a poem “The Stand” e-mailed to me by a friend. Fortunately, I have since lost “The Stand” in the move from Pine Needle Retirement Home to South Florida. I was incredibly angry when I read “The Stand” four years ago, because, and I am paraphrasing, it said that anyone who was against the war in Iraq was not patriotic.

Well, I’ve felt from the get-go That the Iraq war is, a foolish adventure waged by a foolish president, who was not elected to be president at least the first time around, who was elected by an equally foolish American people for a second term. Thus we risk repeating history. I say that “We, the people” and our foolish president risk repeating history because Vietnam, and the Spanish Armada should have given all of us great pause. The American people were fooled into going along with this misadventure, and for that, we must each take responsibility. We are all responsible, even those of us who did not agree, because we did not shout our opposition from the rooftops!

My opposition to this foolish war does not make me any less of a patriot than those who are for it. My memorial to 9/11 follows.

My Stand

Isaac Stolzfuts

I was born on September 11, 1919.I was with my great grandchildren On September 11th, 2001, My eighty-second birthday.We celebrated by playing together.Drawing pictures, they told me what they saw,The farm, our orchard, friends at school, Their Mom and Dad.

It felt as though we were there,Engulfed in that ebon cloud of dust,The taste of death in our mouths.Rebecca (named after her Grandma) Cried, “That’s just a movie, Grandpa, Right?” And Abe Junior said, "Where are all the super heroes?When we need-um!"Well, the super heroes are in Iraq today,Fighting for what they believe.I pray for their safety even asMr. Bush claims to pray for peace.

I was born on September 11, 1919,At the end of the flue epidemic, and World War One.A Surreal world of horror both then and in 2001Flowers and fireworks opposed to cinders and soot.A world in which the lost lives of Iraq's Women and children are not counted.A world in which stolen artifactsTestament to the beginning of civilizationAre casualties to Imperialist ambition.A world in which a 21st century crusade has begun.

I do not believe in this war.I do not believe in the "New American Century."

I do believe in a United States that stands for peace and trust.I do believe in a United States that leads the world by GOOD example.I do believe in a United States that bequeaths to the worldA vision of democracy and freedom.

Each American in Iraq is a hero and a patriot.Each American who states his or her opinionOpposing this war is also a hero and a patriot.

Dissent is one of the freedoms we believe in!Would you have 225 years of national endeavor destroyed?Do not call me anti-American.Do not tell me that I did not suffer on September 11.Do not tell me that I am not a patriot.

I was born on September 11, 1919.My life always circled around “Nine Eleven.”I am a child of “Nine Eleven.”By birthright I am “Nine Eleven.”I am freedom.And, like Whitman I am part of youAnd all of you are a part of me.I am an American.I don't believe in this war of American conquest, andI am a 21st century American patriot!

Links to this post:

About Me

I am an 87 year old gay X-Amish artist recently moved to South Florida from the Pine Needle Retirement Home in Lancaster, PA. In my journal I detail my daily existence here, in South Florida. I write about Art, my art, art criticism, art theory, LGBT issues, ageism, philosophy, and politics. I also channel Stephen Gulliver a 28 year old gay man from an alternate reality in which a neo-conservative government threatens the lives of lesbian and gay people.